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The Boy Scouts board of directors approved the plan unanimously in a meeting at BSA headquarters in Texas, said the change was needed to provide more options for parents. Beginning next year, it will admit girls into the Cub Scout program and give them a path to Eagle Scout.

In a statement to ABC News, the Girls Scouts criticized the decision, saying the move was driven by the Boy Scouts recent money troubles following multiple sex abuse scandals.

"Instead of addressing systemic issues of continuing sexual assault, financial mismanagement and deficient programming, BSA's senior management wants to add an accelerant to the house fire by recruiting girls," the Girls Scouts said.

As of Thursday morning, the BSA has not responded to the the criticisms by the Girls Scouts.